Msd 6al-2 help

[1956NY150]

does red status light stay on
with just ignition key in on position
hard to see if yu mounted box with rotating switches down

i don't have a spare coil to test unit tonight

i think MSD unit is bad car just stopped, ahs power and ground but no status light
thanks
bob

[1956NY150]

ran first recommended test
with magnitic pickup from distributor disconnected and using a jumper line i got spark and status light is on
so my first thought is the pickup in msd distributor?
bob

[1956NY150]

ohm's on pickup should be 500-700

i show a open circuit so it may be the pickup

how often to these fail?
thanks
bob

[dieselgeek]

open circuit is definitely bad news!!

[squirrel]

how often to these fail?

Not very often, but once is enough to cause problems! I've been running the same msd distributor for 20 years. It uses a Ford style pickup.